Physical Theatre

Agatha Christie was a prolific author, one of most well-known novelists in history. (In fact, she is considered the third best-selling author of all time, behind William Shakespeare and the Bible) Her 66 detective and 14 short story books have sold over 2 billion copies.

When What’s the Show sent me to review “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd”, I was looking forward to seeing the performance. Adapted by Philip Grecian, directed by Ali Bendall and presented by the Genesian Theatre Company, the play delivered a performance that would make Agatha Christie smile. It was a great choice to have as the first Agatha Christie play in 2026 at their new home in Rozelle.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a play with a large cast. There are fourteen characters played by thirteen people. The first act of the show was dialogue heavy and had me playing catchup with Who’s Who. By the intermission though, I had a grasp on the relationships between the characters. The layout and design of the program was one of the most gorgeous I have seen – well done to the graphic designer. There was a Murder Mystery Bingo page for fun, a list of Possible Suspects and their role, and a Suspects / Motives Evidence Board which helped consolidate the characters for me during the intermission.

The play centres on Dr. James Sheppard (Nathan Moss), a local doctor in the quaint English village of King’s Abbot. He narrates the events surrounding the startling murder of the affluent Roger Ackroyd. A neighbour, known to Dr Sheppard’s sister Caroline (Roslyn Hicks) for throwing marrow over the fence, is the renowned Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot (Peter David Allison). The famous detective known for his sharp mind and methodical approach becomes entangled in this mystery, even though he is retired. Through clever questioning and careful observation, Poirot works to reveal the real story beneath the surface, interviewing possible suspects and employing his “little grey cells” as he likes to put it, to lead the audience in a suspense-filled classic play.

Director Ali Bendall had the daunting task of creating a set with many different locations, and she successfully brought them all to the stage clearly with the use of lighting (Lighting Design by Cian Byrne) props (including a real antique Dictaphone) and variations in using the whole front theatre space. The cast were dynamically moving, including below the stage, in front and to the sides of the audience. The effect of this surprisingly brought the audience close to the action and encompassed us, making us feel a part of the story. Ali was also the Sound Designer and the ominous, dark music during the scene changes added to the whole atmosphere of mystery and threatening going-ons.

The script had some very witty moments throughout the show. Peter shone as bow tie wearing Poirot, the character delivering many lines and play on words which had us laughing. “The game is afeet!” “Hercule Poirot knows!” Roslyn as Caroline, the village gossip, held the audience from the beginning, her cheeky confidence as she bantered with her brother about all the happenings in the village was very funny. She is forgiven when she says, “I don’t pry things out of people!” indignantly, and then proceeds to ask personal questions to another character, indeed prying! John Parker (Peter Hoekstra-Bass) played The Butler who found the murdered Roger Ackroyd. On request from Poirot, his re-enactment with Ackroyd’s niece Flora Ackroyd (Jen Manoogian) was played with great over-enthusiasm, so much so that I thought, “John Parker has just discovered what he wants to do after he finishes his employment as a butler – acting!”

The cast and their British accents were impressive. Combined with Susan Carveth’s costume design, they put just the right emphasis on reeling the audience in and making us wonder who amongst these group of people was responsible for Roger Ackroyd’s death. Particularly during the second act, the red herrings were scattered everywhere, clues were looked for by me, and this became part of the game. It’s typical of an Agatha Christie novel – twisty, sinister secrets revealed slowly, blackmail, with a great ending. I won’t spoil the whodunnit, but when you see this play, (and you definitely should!), look out for the murderer’s pace and delivery – kudos to that actor, and to the whole cast.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is playing 16 January – 28 February 2026 at the Genesian Theatre. 2B Gordon Street, Rozelle.
Run Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Tickets: www.genesiantheatre.com.au/events/the-murder-of-roger-ackroyd

To book tickets to The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, please visit https://genesiantheatre.com.au/events/the-murder-of-roger-ackroyd/.

Photographer: Anthony Burns

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